Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. He was a nephew of President James K. Polk and graduated from the US Military Academy in 1850. He served as a Lieutenant on the frontier but resigned in 1852, returning to Tennessee where he established a successful mercantile business. With the outbreak of the Civil War, he was commissioned Colonel of the 40th Tennessee Infantry in November 1861. He led the 40th Tennessee in engagments in Missouri, was promoted Brigadier General in March 1862 and fought at the Battle of Farmington. In March 1863, he assigned to the Department of Mississippi to command a brigade of cavalry at the Battle of Helena. After the Battle of Reed's Bridge on August 26, 1863, General John S. Marmaduke accused Walker of imperiling his men by being absent from the field in the face of the enemy. Walker felt that he had been unjustly accused of cowardice and challenged Marmaduke to a formal duel. At dawn on September 6, 1863, the two men squared off with revolvers, both fired and missed. Marmaduke then re-cocked and fired a second time, mortally wounding Walker in the right side. He died the next day.
Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. He was a nephew of President James K. Polk and graduated from the US Military Academy in 1850. He served as a Lieutenant on the frontier but resigned in 1852, returning to Tennessee where he established a successful mercantile business. With the outbreak of the Civil War, he was commissioned Colonel of the 40th Tennessee Infantry in November 1861. He led the 40th Tennessee in engagments in Missouri, was promoted Brigadier General in March 1862 and fought at the Battle of Farmington. In March 1863, he assigned to the Department of Mississippi to command a brigade of cavalry at the Battle of Helena. After the Battle of Reed's Bridge on August 26, 1863, General John S. Marmaduke accused Walker of imperiling his men by being absent from the field in the face of the enemy. Walker felt that he had been unjustly accused of cowardice and challenged Marmaduke to a formal duel. At dawn on September 6, 1863, the two men squared off with revolvers, both fired and missed. Marmaduke then re-cocked and fired a second time, mortally wounding Walker in the right side. He died the next day.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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